Nearly 130 heads of state and government are to address the assembly with their national statements over the next three days [file image]

World leaders gather for United Nations General Assembly

by · RTE.ie

The United Nations General Assembly's high-level general debate begins today.

Nearly 130 heads of state and government, and other high-level representatives are to meet with their counterparts and address the assembly with their national statements over the next three days.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin is due to participate in several bilateral meetings with leaders today and attend a number of engagements relating to developments in the Middle East, including a meeting of the 'Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution’.

The group's aims are to work towards a two state solution and support efforts to reach a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

The Taoiseach is also expected to participate in an event hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham to mark nearly a year since the Gaza peace plan was announced.

Meetings between the Taoiseach and outgoing UN Secretary General António Guterres, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani have also been scheduled.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin is due to participate in several bilateral meetings with leaders

The wars involving Iran and Ukraine, artificial intelligence and pressure on the international system are expected to dominate the agenda this week.

US President Donald Trump is due to address the Assembly later today and hold meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Mr Burnham and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Macron says he discussed Ukraine-Russia energy truce ideas with Trump

Read more: Ireland must navigate diplomatic relationships at UN General Assembly

Meanwhile, Mr Macron said that he had discussed with ⁠Mr Trump initiatives aimed at securing a moratorium between Ukraine and Russia on attacks linked to the energy sector.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr Macron said the two leaders had held a "very good" and "very constructive" discussion on the conflict and ‌agreed on the ⁠need to help Ukraine strengthen its defences.

"We had a lengthy discussion on Ukraine and Russia, the need to help our Ukrainian friends more quickly and more strongly in terms ‌of interceptors, because that is the key issue from a defensive point ⁠of view," Mr Macron said.

Without going into ‌details, Mr Macron said the two had also focused on ⁠the ‌idea of halting strikes on the energy sector, a subject he would bring up when he meets Mr Zelensky.

The French leader said ⁠helping Ukraine's energy system remained a priority as the war continued to affect security across Europe and he hoped progress could be made during the annual gathering of leaders at the United ‌Nations.

Additional reporting by Reuters